[Firmgirl]

Ok, I love the Kickbutt Crunch Time, but at the end we do the Kundalini Standing Fire Breath move and I am a bit confused as there is no real instruction other than rapid & forceful exhale/inhale.
Am I supposed to be contracting my abs, doing pelvic floor lifts in tune with the breaths, or do I just huff & puff like a dragon?
TIA!

[Yogini]

Breath of Fire traditionally involves pulling in the pelvic floor muscles and the abdominal muscles on the exhale and releasing them on the inhale. The focus should be on the exhale through the nose (the inhale should just happen automatically) and should be rapid. I suggest trying this while resting in Corpse pose (on your back, relaxed) with your hands on your abdomen to connect with your breath until you feel comfortable with the breathing.

Best of luck

[Firmgirl]

Thank you Yogini!
Can I ask about another pose?
Is it ok, to modify the poses like corpse pose (on the back, legs down, etc) with the legs bent & feet on the floor? (I ask b/c I have back problems and am not comfortable on my back unless my legs are on a stack of pillows resting elevated, or my feet are grounded with legs bent.)
Thanks again!

[mehitabelx]

hi firmgirl,

i haven't been taking yoga all that long, but my teacher has always told us that it's ok to modify poses to be more comfortable.

one pose he has us do that's good for the lower back is to lay on the floor with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. then find where your back arches off the floor (you can use your hand or just mentally find the arch) and press that area down flat so that the whole of your back is in contact with the floor. you have to tip your hips forward to do this, they may even come up off the floor.

it feels really wonderful when my lower back aches.


kristin